Columbia Waterfront Fall Fest Pics!

The kids were happy, which means our table at the Columbia Street Fall Festival last week was a success! Columbia waterfront resident, Sharon, had balloon animals, face painting and glitter tattoos.  We had a great time.  Thanks to Sharon and everyone who came out!  Enjoy the pics.

We're mentioned in NYTimes' "The Hunt"!

Check this article out! Realty Collective and the lovely and talented Tina Fallon are mentioned and Tina also adds some commentary!  Through the Brooklyn Based sponsored class we spoke at, "Buying into Brooklyn", which you all may have heard us mention once or twice on here, Tina met a young couple looking to buy a home.  This article follows the process the couple went through in order to finally find the right space.  Very cool!

Sandy Survivor Gathering Reminder!

Along with sending out this reminder for the coming weekend's Sandy Survivor Gathering, which will be at 351 Van Brunt Street storefront between 4pm and 7pm June 30th, we wanted to let everyone know about the new webpage on the PortSide site.  Since we're hoping to make this a regular thing you can check this page for updates on future gatherings.  We hope to see you all there this Sunday.  Free cake and coffee!!

Sandy Survivor Gathering Part II

There's going to be another Sandy survivor gathering coming up on June 30th from 4-7pm.  Put it on your calendar!! We'll send out a reminder just before it happens also.  It will, again, be at 351 Van Brunt and we'll have cake and coffee.  If you missed the last one then this is your chance to connect with your friends and neighbors! If you'd like to help in anyway email sandy6mo@gmail.com.  You can also RSVP by emailing that same address.  Hope to see everyone there!

Buying into Brooklyn Event Reminder!!

Tomorrow night is the night.  Just wanted to let everyone know, and remind those who already knew, that we'll be at Brooklyn Brewery along with a great panel of folks who can answer your questions about buying in Brooklyn.  Come for the knowledge, come for the beer, come for the snacks.  Come see us!!  Check the event's facebook page for tickets and more info.

Buying into Brooklyn May 21st!

We've had so much fun doing this event in the past and we're back to do it again the evening of May 21st at Brooklyn Brewery!  So, if you're starting to think about buying here and have some questions for us this is the perfect event.  You'll get your questions answered while eating snacks and drinking beer!  To read more about what to expect, including who will be with us on the panel, check out the facebook page.  You can also enter questions that you have so the panel can address them and buy tickets.

Discover the Hook Saturday!! Press Release and More Info!

We're so pleased to hosting this event this weekend, May 11th.  It's from 12pm-5pm and you can start your day by swinging by our Red Hook office at 351 Van Brunt for your activity guide.  We hope everyone will come out and if you or anyone you know wants to open a business or move their business this is a great time to check out what Red Hook has to offer! We've included the press release to this event as well as the flyer.  Share!!!

PRESS RELEASE:

For Immediate Release:

May 3, 2013

 “DISCOVER THE HOOK” EVENT IN RED HOOK PLANNED TO ATTRACT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

Brooklyn, NY

Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp. (SBIDC) and the Realty Collective are hosting an event called “Discover the Hook" in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC) provides advocacy and services to help businesses in the Sunset Park, Red Hook and Gowanus neighborhoods grow and create employment opportunities for local residents. Brooklyn boutique real estate firm, Realty Collective was founded in 2005 on a mission of enriching the community where they live and work. With offices in Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront District and Red Hook, Realty Collective has taken a special interest in shaping south Brooklyn, an area rich in history and architecture. The goal of “Discover the Hook” is to attract local and sustainable businesses to Red Hook and match them with vacant properties along the main commercial corridor of Van Brunt Street and the nearby neighborhood. The event is planned for Saturday, May 11th from 12-5pm and will showcase vacant retail spaces as well as the unique local businesses and amenities the community has to offer.

During this event, a number of vacant spaces will be programmed with creative events and activities, including a pop-up shop showcasing local handmade gifts, an art gallery, and music - all hosted by local artists, musicians and community members. This event is suitable for anyone looking for a unique experience and is a great opportunity for businesses seeking retail space in a revitalizing neighborhood. They’ll have the chance to see available spaces, meet business owners and learn about the neighborhood. The Realty Collective has generated a list of current available commercial spaces in the neighborhood, which visitors will be able to pick up from their office at 351 Van Brunt Street.

Sandy Survivor Get Together Reminder!!

Hey everyone we just wanted to send out a quick reminder about the get together this weekend (details below).  Join us along with PortSide New York and friends and neighbors who survived and came together as a community after Sandy hit the area six months ago.  We'll have cheese, crackers, coffee, cake (!!!) and good company!  Come on over!

Sandy Survivor Get Together
Sunday 4/28/13
4-7pm (but we’ll stay longer if you are there)
351 Van Brunt Street

Sandy Survivor Get Together.

Calling all Sandy survivors!  Come join us this Sunday, April 28th, to reconnect and eat cake! It'll be almost 6 months since Sandy hit us and brought both havoc and a spirit of togetherness and strength to our community.  We'd love to see you all there! You can read the flyer below for more info.


Red Hook Sandy Survivor Get Together
Sunday 4/28/13 4‐7pm (but we’ll stay longer if you are there)
351 Van Brunt

April 29 will be the six month anniversary of hurricane Sandy. Many people in Red Hook talk about re‐finding that spirit of connectedness that supported us during the dark nights and muddy days after the storm.

PortSide NewYork and Realty Collective, the non‐profit organization and real estate brokerage which teamed up to create the Sandy aid center at 351 Van Brunt Street, are opening the doors again to bring people together. Here is our invitation to you. Please pass the word:

Dear Neighbor:
 
We are coming up on 6 months since Hurricane Sandy put Red Hook under 4 feet of water or more in some cases.
 
There was a great community spirit in the days after the storm when everyone was working together to recover. We are hosting an informal open house to hear how you are doing, reconnect and celebrate the resilience of Red Hook. It would be so great to see our friends and neighbors and reconnect.

Free cake, coffee and other beverages. We are looking to arrange some other food by event time.
 
Yours truly,
Your neighbors and friends at 351 Van Brunt Street

To help with the event or post flyers, contact Kerry Quade at sandy6mo@gmail.com

Open House Thursday!

There will be another open house for units at 200 Columbia Street this Thursday, April 11th, between 5:30pm and 7pm.  Here's the info below in case you missed our last blog about it. You can also visit this website for more information.  We'll be updating it continually so keep checking for more pics and availability info.

Cool meets comfort in this boutique-style walkup amid the top-rated restaurants, shops and schools of Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street Waterfront District. For amenities and style, 200 Columbia Street is it. Live in the heart of it all with stunning views of lower Manhattan. Exposed brick, modern kitchens and baths, Brazilian hardwood floors, high ceilings, energy efficient appliances with central heating and air are among the many features that enable you to live smart.
Columbia Street Waterfront District is the ideal location for both families and young professionals eager to experience all the excitement and opportunity that Brooklyn has to offer. A picturesque neighborhood and cultural diversity makes 200 Columbia Street a great place to live. The residences are set in the most populous New York City borough and have everything you need close by. Walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park down the Greenway, or eat at Pok Pok, while exploring the endless things to do in the city. There are hundreds of delectable eateries and all of the shopping venues and boutiques you can handle. The residences of 200 Columbia Street puts you in the hotbed of one of the most cultivated neighborhoods in New York.
-built in dishwasher
-exposed brick
-granite countertops
-high ceilings
-individually controlled heat and air conditioning
-intercom system
-solid Brazilian hardwood floors
-soundproof construction
-stainless steel appliances
-time warner cable ready
-washer & dryer in the units*
-pets allowed*
              *available for an additional fee, see management for more details

Units Starting At $2,800 with No Fee

Open House 2 BRs This Sunday!

We're having an Open house this Sunday, April 7th from 1-3pm at 200 Columbia Street!

Cool meets comfort in this boutique-style walkup amid the top-rated restaurants, shops and schools of Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street Waterfront District. For amenities and style, 200 Columbia Street is it. Live in the heart of it all with stunning views of lower Manhattan. Exposed brick, modern kitchens and baths, Brazilian hardwood floors, high ceilings, energy efficient appliances with central heating and air are among the many features that enable you to live smart.
Columbia Street Waterfront District is the ideal location for both families and young professionals eager to experience all the excitement and opportunity that Brooklyn has to offer. A picturesque neighborhood and cultural diversity makes 200 Columbia Street a great place to live. The residences are set in the most populous New York City borough and have everything you need close by. Walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park down the Greenway, or eat at Pok Pok, while exploring the endless things to do in the city. There are hundreds of delectable eateries and all of the shopping venues and boutiques you can handle. The residences of 200 Columbia Street puts you in the hotbed of one of the most cultivated neighborhoods in New York.

-built in dishwasher
-exposed brick
-granite countertops
-high ceilings
-individually controlled heat and air conditioning
-intercom system
-solid Brazilian hardwood floors
-soundproof construction
-stainless steel appliances
-time warner cable ready
-washer & dryer in the units*
-pets allowed*
              *available for an additional fee, see management for more details

Units Starting At $2,800 with No Fee
For More Information Go To:  200Columbia.com

Happy New Year!

What can we say about 2012?  It was a year that tested us, our community and our resilience.  We passed that test and feel closer to our community as a result.  We are so happy to live and work in Brooklyn!  We know there are good things to come, a rebuilt better-than-ever Red Hook (including a new Fairway with a second floor restaurant!!), and more of the same wonderful comradery  that we've experienced the last couple of months.  We'd like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from everyone here at Realty Collective.  If you're looking for something to do today we suggest walking down to the Brooklyn Promenade! It's one of our favorite things to do and reminds us how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place...plus it's a great way to walk off all those cookies you've been indulging in.  And if you go after dinner the view is spectacular.  The Manhattan skyline is like the ultimate Christmas light show!  Well, we hope you are yours are well and enjoying the holiday season! 

Home and Business Rebuild Meeting Tonight!

There will be a meeting tonight at 6:30pm at our Red Hook space on Van Brunt Street.  Architect Jim Garrison will be sharing resources on rebuilding efforts tonight with local home and business owners. Of course we'll be there.  He will help explain some of the more arcane FEMA guidelines, and advise regarding updated mechanical systems that are less expensive and less flood-prone.  This will be an essential info session for people who are looking into grants and loans to get their buildings back running again. So, come on down to 351 Van Brunt tonight.

Red Hook Relief Efforts.

Whether you need help or want to help, here are a few things going on in the Red Hook area for residents, businesses and anyone who wants to volunteer.


**Red Hook Farm needs volunteers between 10 and 4pm tomorrow.

**There will be lawyers on-site at the Pal Micco Building and RHI today to help with FEMA documents, lost food stamps, and other hurricane-related questions/issues.

**Our Van Brunt Street Office, 351 Van Brunt, is offering area residents electricity for their sump pumps as well as collecting can goods and clothing donations.

**Please, if you have wifi, open your network so others can use it. 

We'll keep posting more info as it comes in.  Please post more volunteer and relief opportunities in the comment section.  Also, this link (https://redhook.recovers.org/) is for anyone who wants to donate money, goods or receive help.  It'll keep you up-to-date on what is needed.

Introducing Nicole May!

Meet one of the newest additions to Realty Collective.  Nicole is originally from New York and after living overseas, mainly Australia, for several years came back and is now residing in the Park Slope neighborhood, which she loves.  Here's what Nicole has to say about how she came to work for us.

When moving back to New York City, what I found most difficult was finding a place to live. My search was long and frustrating.  Although I had a background in event management and music, I was inspired to make a career change and become a real estate agent so that I might help others avoid the many pitfalls and run around when searching for their new home.  Brooklyn has so much to offer and I feel very fortunate to live here. 

GO Brooklyn Tour.

We recently blogged about the GO Brooklyn, which is a "community curated open studio project", but didn't know at the time that we'd be participating.  We we are proud to announce that we are!  Check this out.


Tour Given by Victoria Hagman and Edith Bellinghausen.  Come on a historic tour of Red Hook and Gowanus artist studios during GoBrooklyn and see not only amazing local artists' spaces but learn about the buildings they work in. Many artist studios in Brooklyn today are located in buildings that previously were used for other forms of production. The adaptive reuse of these buildings has created great spaces for the artist as well as retained the urban fabric. Learn more about these buildings on our tour.

The GO project is will be on the weekend of September 8th and 9th and this particular tour is on Sunday the 9th.  You can meet us at The Brooklyn Ice House, 318 Van Brunt Street, at 1:30pm and we will begin the tour at 2pm moving to our first stop FLOOD ZONE (107 Pioneer Street).  We're so excited to be a part of this.  For more info on GO click here.

Zombieland Tonight!

Just a quick reminder that tonight you can watch Zombieland for free at Valentino Pier.  A beautiful location for an outdoor viewing of a very awesome movie.   We are presenting this one, along with Pok Pok, and you can check out their sponsors page for more on all the sponsors involved with Red Hook Flicks.  So, bring your blankets, snacks, and bevs and come hang!